Life-of-Muhammad

Life of Muhammad sa 117essential part of the Islamic teaching. We append heresome sayings of the Prophet sa on the subject of war andpeace.(i) Muslims are forbidden altogether to mutilate thedead (Muslim).(ii) Muslims are forbidden to resort to cheating(Muslim).(iii) Children are not to be killed, nor women(Muslim).(iv) Priests and religious functionaries and religiousleaders are not to be interfered with (Tahavi).(v) The old and decrepit and women and children arenot to be killed. The possibility of peace should alwaysbe kept in view (Abu Dawud).(vi) When Muslims enter enemy territory, they shouldnot strike terror into the general population. Theyshould permit no ill-treatment of common folk (Muslim).(vii) A Muslim army should not camp in a placewhere it causes inconvenience to the general public.When it marches it should take care not to block theroad nor cause discomfort to other wayfarers.(viii) No disfigurement of face is to be permitted(Bukhari and Muslim).(ix) The least possible losses should be inflicted uponthe enemy (Abu Dawud).(x) When prisoners of war are put under guard, thoseclosely related should be placed together (Abu Dawud).(xi) Prisoners should live in comfort. Muslims shouldcare more for the comfort of their prisoners than fortheir own (Tirmidhi).(xii) Emissaries and delegates from other countriesshould be held in great respect. Any mistakes ordiscourtesies they commit should be ignored (AbuDawud, Kitab al jihad).(xiii) If a Muslim commits the sin of ill-treating aprisoner of war, atonement is to be made by releasingthe prisoner without ransom.